Using the Present Participle in French! Le Participe Présent Using the Present Participle in French!

So, what’s the Present Participle? The Present Participle is the verb form which ends in -ing in English. It is used to show an action which takes place at the same time as another action. eg. Coming into the room, I saw my friend. It may also be used with the prepositions “upon’, “whilst”, “by”, or ‘on”. eg. On turning the corner, you will see the church. The Present Participle may be used as an adjective - eg a charming boy.

So, how do I do that in French?? In French, replace the -ons ending of the nous form of the Present with -ant. travaillons travaillant finissons finissant attendons attendant allons allant faisons faisant voyons voyant etc

Are there any irregulars? Bien sûr! - This IS French, after all!! The irregular Present Participles are: être étant avoir ayant savoir sachant

And how do I USE it in French? Basically, the Present Participle is used in the same way as in English. As a verb, to show simultaneous action. Entrant dans la pièce, j’ai vu mon copain. With the preposition “en” - no other preposition may be used. En translates as ‘while’, ‘by’, ‘upon’ or ‘on’. En tournant le coin, tu verras l’église. As an adjective - it then agrees. un garçon charmant, une fille charmante

When NOT to use it! DON’T use it to try to form a tense. I am working is only ever je travaille. I was working may only be je travaillais. DON’T use it with any preposition other than “en”. Use the INFINITIVE instead. Il est parti, sous la pluie, sans me parler, sans me regarder. DON’T use it after verbs of perception - again, use the INFINITIVE. J’entends jouer les enfants. I hear the children playing. (Note word order.)

Form the Present Participle... parler choisir entendre aller faire lire écrire devoir parlant choisissant entendant allant faisant lisant écrivant devant (yep, cd be confusing)

Using the Present Participle En me promenant dans le Quartier Latin, j’ai trouvé les arènes de Lutèce.

Using the present Participle En faisant du parapente, on voit tant de choses.